Pennsylvania says 'no' to funding to aid census effort

(Office of Gov. Tom Wolf)

Pennsylvania lawmakers say a just-unveiled compromise budget package won't include any extra money for the state to bolster federal census efforts.

House Republican officials said Monday there's no need for the state to help fund a federal government function.

A commission tapped by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to study how to ensure an accurate census in Pennsylvania had asked for $1 per person to aid the outreach, or close to $13 million.

Some states are undertaking a similar analysis and, in some cases, devoting money to the cause.

The government takes a headcount every 10 years to allocate seats in Congress and billions in federal dollars for such things as transportation projects and education.

Wolf's office says Pennsylvania would lose almost $2,100 a year for each person who isn't counted.